Theater curtain



SePL, 19465 B. H. LOHMULLER ET AL 2,407,024

THEATER CURTAIN y Filed Aug. 17,1944 3 sheets-sheet 1 Sept- 3 1946 B. H. LOHMULLER ET AL 2,407,024

THEATER CURTAIN Filed Aug1 17, 1944 v s sheets-sheet 2 El L7l ..5 67 37 a6 j. j

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-BL/ MWh/M Patented Sept. 3, 1946 THEATER CURTAIN Bernard H. Lohmuller and Genevieve W. Lohmuller, North Hollywood, Calif.

Application August 17, 1944, Serial N0. 549,886

(Cl. 1GO-126) 23 Claims.

Our invention relates to a composite theatre Curtain formed of a plurality of separate panels, each of which is adapted to be, separately, raised or lowered any of a series of predetermined distances, said panels also being adapted to be so manipulated in any desired plurality of adjoining or separated groups, thus t0 selectively form in any relative position in the composite curtain one or more openings, and to provide such opening or openings with any desired contour of a large selection of configurations permitted by such manipulation. Our invention also relates to means for relatively raising and lowering component panels of such curtain as above indicated which, after a simple manual setting of certain operating means for a selective relative location and contour of opening or openings in said curtain, will automatically quickly and positively cause each of a group of selected panels to synchronously move to the desired relative positions.

it is a principal object of our invention to provide a composite curtain comprising a desired plurality of separate panels, each of which may be separately manipulated to aid in forming any of a large number of selective congurations of openings in the composite curtain and of different relative locations.

It is also an important object to provide panels, as component parts of a curtain, each of which may be decorated or draped as desired.

Still another object is to provide simple control prc-setting means for actuating mechanism to raise and lower the curtain panels to provide any one or more of such selective aperture congurations.

Provision of automatic mechanism which, when set in operation through pre-set controlling means, will cause the curtain panels or" any selected group to be synchronously moved to form desired configurations, is also an important object of our invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevation showing (upper part oi the figure) counterweights, pulleys, and cables fc-r individually raising and lowering the curtain panels; also illustrating (lower part of the gure) the electric operating panel-board and, diagrammatically1 its electric operating means;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a plurality of adjoining curtain panels and cables, and cable attachments to tops ci each panel, respectively, and, as to two of them, the arrangement of counterweights;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the switch mechanisms ci the indicator-control, there being iive such switches for each curtain panel, said switch being shown with circuit closed;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the switch mechanism of Fig. 3, with circuit open;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the circuit breaker and its casing cover (one for each curtain panel) and its rotating arm carrying ve of the switch mechanisms illustrated in Figs. 3 and d, leithand side of Fig. 5 showing part of the casing cover which is broken away in the right-hand side to show the face of the circuit breaker;

Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically a motor and the mechanism which it actuates for raising and lowering one of the curtain panels, and also mechanism or rotating the switch carrying arm shown as part of the elevation of Fig. 5, the section indicated by line 6-5 of Fig. 5 being at the left-hand side of Fig. 6;

Fig. '7 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the curtain as a whole, showing the arrangement of its adjoining component panels;

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing in plan the staggered and overlapping arrangement of the respective battens of each of the curtain panels and the relative locations of attachment of the cables for raising and lowering;

Figs. 10, 11, l2 and 13 are front elevations, illustrating a few of the numerous selective curtain aperture congurations possible with our invention.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, I3, I4, l5, I6, I'I, I8, I9, 2U, 2|, 22 and 23 (Fig. 2) indicate curtain panels, each a separate curtain adapted to be raised and lowered without disturbing the position` of any of the v others.

Each of said curtain panels I3 through 23 are formed of any suitable material such as canvas or the like, and faces of each may be painted or covered or draped in such manner as artistic or designing skill may dictate.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2: Each of the #curtain panels I3 through 23 (III being omitted of their respective panels by any means Well known in the art.

Still referring to Fig. 2: Lateral lapped extensions 24 on curtain panels I3 through |1 4 being omitted in this figure to more clearly illustrate this detail) carry such lapped extensions 24 on their right-hand edges, while curtain panels I9 through 23 carry such lapped extensions 24 on their left-hand edges, curtain panels l1 and I9 thus having such lapped extensions 24 spaced apart but adjoining each other, and center curtain panel I6 being adapted to cover such lapped extensions 24 of its adjoining curtain panels |1 and |91, as well as the space between them.

Each of said curtain panels is attached by any means well known in the art to a batteri 25 (Fig. 2). The respective curtain panels are not in lateral alignment with each other, but are staggered So that adjoining edges overlap as most clearly shown in Fig. 9. To each of said battens 25 are secured two cables 2li-26 (as most clearly shown in Fig. 9), each of which passes upwardly from its respective batten 25 over a respective pulley 21 mounted a suflicient'distance above the prosceniurn arch for permitting raising of each of the curtain panels, if desired, out of View of the audience or with only desired lower portions in view (the latter alternative being most clearly illustrated in Figs. through 13 of the drawings). 21, cables 26-26 are attached to their respective lcounterweights 28, the function of which, as well as their means of attachment to the cables, being old in the art therefore not needing further description.

Each counterweight 2B has attached to its upper surface a cable 29 which, after passing upward over a pulley 30, extends downward around a pulley actuated yby a motor, later to be described, and thence upward to the bottom of counterweight 28 to which it is attached.

In Fig. l is illustrated, largely diagrammatically, the relative positioning (which, preferably7 will be at either side of the stage) of the counterweights 28 and their appurtenances, including cables 29, for raising and lowering the respective curtain panels, also at the left and lower part of the gure, showing the operating panel board with its switches, circuit breakers, and electric wiring. Each curtain panel is provided with a motor and controlling means identical with all the others.

Generally describing the electric apparatus and wiring connections as illustrated in the lower part of Fig. l: Main single pole switch 3| adapted to connect a source of electric power with the motor-controls and. motors of each panel of the composite curtain, is connected by wire 32 to motor reversing switch 33, which is, by wire 34, connected to terminals of each of a series, 35, of 11 single pole switches, each of which is connected by a wire 36 to each7 respectively, of an appropriate terminal of circuit breakers 31, 38, 39, 40, 4|, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 41 (details of which circuit breakers will later be explained in our consideration of Figures 3 through 7 of the drawings). The other terminals of each of circuit breakers 31 through 41 are connected by respective wires 43 (as indicated with respect to circuit breaker 31, Fig. 1) to respective motors 49, 50, 5|, 52, 53, `54y 55, 56, 51, 58 and 59. Wire 60 and its extensions (not numbered) to each motor connects the main switch 3| with each of said motors 49 to 59 inclusive.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, and its sec- After passing over respective pulleys 21- tional View in Fig. 6, in which is illustrated the construction and Inode of operation of circuit breaker 31 and its appurtenances (all other circuit breakers 38 Ithrough 41, as illustrated in Fig. l, being identical). Circuit breaker 31 comprises a disk 5| of insulating material, which is rigidly attached as part of the operating panel board 61a.

Concentrically disposed and preferably equispaced in two series, each series being on an opposite side of the surface of disk 6|, with their upper surfaces in the same plane, are copper conductor strips 62 and 63, each in the form. of a segmental annulus, respective ends of each of which respective series being in the same annular circles with corresponding conductor strips ci the opposite side of disk 6|, the interrupted annulus between ends of corresponding strips 62 and 63 :being the surface of the insulating material of disk 5|.

In Fig. l, as above described, wires 36 (in the interests of simplicity of the diagram) from the appropriate switches of series 35 are illustrated as connected to the several disks 6|. Amplifying details of Fig. 5 show these wires 36 connected to each of a series of copper strips 62 and 63 of each of circuit breakers 31 through 45; so as, when circuit is completed, to energize each of said strips 62 and 63.

Still referring to Fig. 5: Casing cover 65 (Fig. 5), broken away, as illustrated, to show on one side disk Gl and its conductor strips l|2 and 63, is provided with a series of annular slots I66--66 registering above conductor strips 62 and 63 for the passage therethrough of switch mechanism later to be described. Arm 61, carrying switches for contact with copper strips 62 or 63, is pivoted at the center of disk 6| and is adapted to be rotated a full circle over the surface of said disk. Said rotating arm 61 carries a series of switches 63, each being adapted to establish electrical contact with a different pair of oppositely disposed conductor Strips 62 and 63. To complete circuit to the respective motors 49 through 59, each of switches 66 are connected in series by wire 69 which is attached to conductor annulus 1B (Figs. 6 and 7), which conductor annulus 10 is connected by wire 48 to the appropriate motor.

3 and 4 are, respectively, elevations of the mechanism of each of said switches 68, Fig. 3 showing the switch 63 establishing contact with one of 'the copper strips 62, and Fig- 4 showing the switch open.

Rockers 1| of insulating material of switches 53 are pivoted to oscillate on rocker pins 12, ends of which pin 12 are respectively supported in opposite walls of slots 13 in the respective arms 61, through each of which extends operating lever handles 68a of switches 66. Pivoted to the center of rocker 1| are links 15, the lower ends of which are pivotally attached to the centers, respectively, of conductor disks 16, each of which carries contact element 11 for establishing circuit through copper strips 62 and 63 of circuit breakers 31 through 41, respectively. Links 18-18 are respectively pivoted to outer ends of rockers 1i, and at their opposite ends to outer edges of disks 16, wires 69, connected respectively to links 13 of adjacent switches, the innermost switch on each of rotating arms B1, being attached respectively to conductor annulus 10 (Fig. '7).

Arms 61 are secured, releasably if desired, at their lower ends to shafts 19, such connection in Figs. 6 and '1 being clearly shown by set screw (not numbered). Each of motors 49 through 59 are, as shown in Fig. 6, carried on a suitable base 80a of supporting frame 80, motor shaft 8l carrying worm 82, the outer ends of shafts 8l being carried in suitable bearings 83 supported by frame members 80h and 80e.

Worms 82 mesh with respective worm-gears 84 carried by shaft 85 in suitable bearings 86 carried by frame member 80d. Groove pulley 81 is suitably attached to Worm gear 84 so as to rotate with said gear, and the respective curtain cables 29 pass around the grooves of respective pulleys 81 so that rotation of a worm gear 84 and its attached pulley 81 will raise or lower, according to the direction of rotation, the associated curtain panel of the particular unit being operated.

Keyed adjacent to the end of motor-shaft 8| is sprocket wheel 88, which is secured in suitable bearings 89-89, supported by frame members 801) and 88e.

After passing through an opening in respective covers 65 of each of circuit breakers 31 through 41, respective shafts 19 extend through operating board standard Gla, and are each supported in bearings 90-90 carried respectively by frame supporting members 80h and 80C, between which supports are keyed sprocket wheels 9|, sprocket chains 92 (one for each unit) passing around and meshing with sprocket wheels 88 and 9| of each of the respective units.

Preliminarily to describing operation: It is apparent that each of the conductor strips `62 or 63 of the circuit breaker illustrated in Fig. 5 (of which there are ve conductor strips in each series on each side of disk 6|) are of different arcuate lengths. The curtain is moved only while a selected one of switches 68 ol any given panel operating means is in contact with one of the conductor strips 62 or 63, as such selected switch 68 when closed completes a circuit to operate the motor for raising (or lowering) the curtain, and the motor operates only while the circuit is thus closed; so that when the rotating arm `61 (Fig. 5), after beginning its rotative movement, reaches the end of the strip, the circuit is opened and the motor stops. Lengths of respective conductor strips 62 and 63 of the circuit breaker 6l (Fig. 5) of any given unit (all units being identical) are proportional in length to the upward or downward desired movement of the curtain. Thus, as an illustrative example, the conductor strips 62 or 63 (Fig. 5) nearest the center of disk 6I, being the shortest of the strips (speed of the motor and relative size of the gearing mechanism being properly correlated) is designed to raise or lower the curtain ten feet, the raising and lowering only continuing while -switch 68 establishes circuit through said shortest conductor strip through the motor. The next adjoining strip is of a length to raise the curtain 12 feet; the next strip, 14 feet; the next strip, 16 feet; and the longest strip, 18 feet.

In describing the operation, let us first assume that the curtain panels are in lowermost position with lower edges on the stage. It is desired to raise all but the two end curtain panels to a position illustrated in Fig. 10, which let us Say is eighteen feet. The main switch is open. The iirst step of the operator will be to manually rotate the switch arms 61 of curtains to be moved to a position over the ends of conductor strips 62 or 63. The operator next closes each of the respective switches 68 Which contact with the outermost or larger of the respective conductor strips 62 or 63. Then, the reversing switch being in proper position, the main switch is closed and the circuit flows through the motor, which coincidentally raises the curtains and rotates the switch arm 61 (Fig. 5). When the switch arm reaches the end of said series of strips, circuit will be broken through the motor and the motor will stop. Obviously to lower the curtain the direction of rotation of the motor is changed by the reversing switch, so that a reverse movement of the arm will lower the curtains. From the foregoing description it will be seen that any one or more of the curtain panels may be set for raising or lowering by manipulation of the appropriate switches 68 of the units to be raised or lowered.

Our invention is not t0 be limited to the apparent proportional spacing apart of the respective ends of series 62 and 63 of conductor strips on disk 6I, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Such strips, on the contrary, may be nearer together than appearing in the drawings, so as to permit the slight manual operative movement of arm 81', as above described, between ends of respective series of conductor strips 62 in B3; also arm 61 may be rigidly connected to shaft 1S, as (without specific description) illustrated in Fig. 5, or which will be releasably secured to said shaft by set screw, as shown in Figs. 6 and 1; or said arm may be so connected by releasable or adjustable means which, being Well known in the art, need not be further described. Also, while we have illustrated and described two series 62 and 63 of conductor strips, it will be obvious to any of skill in the art that one series only of conductor strips could be used with like effect. It is also apparent that other forms of switches E8 and other means of breaking circuit through the motor after a cycle of operation could be substituted With like effect. Also, the staggered alignment of respective curtain panels as illustrated in Fig. 9 could be varied-all without departing from the spirit oi our invention, the scope of which is as dei-ined in the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a curtain comprising a plurality of separate panels, and means to raise and lower, separately, each panel.

2. In a composite theatre curtain, a. plurality of curtain panels, means to raise and lower each panel independently oi"- the others, and means to limit the raising and lowering, respectively, of each of said panels.

3. A composite theatre curtain comprising a plurality of separate curtain panels, each adapted to be automatically raised and lowered to any of a series of predetermined positions.

4. In a device of the character described, a curtain panel, means to wholly or partially raise and lower said curtain panel, and means to automatically limit the extent of raising or lowering said panel to any of a series of predetermined positions.

5. In a device of the character described, a`

plurality of separate curtain panels, means to separately raise and lower said curtain panels, means to limit raising and lowering of each of said panels to any of a series of different positions, and means to control said raising and lowering means.

6. In a device of the character described, a plurality of curtain panels adapted to be separately raised and lowered, each of said panels being disposed in a different vertical plane from all but one of the others, and each having lateral ledges overlapping corresponding adjacent edges of an adjoining curtain panel,

7. .In a device of the character described, a plurality of separate curtain panels adapted to be separately raised and lowered, each of said panels being disposed in a different vertical plane from all but one of the others, and each having lateral edges overlapping corresponding adjacent edges of an adjoining curtain panel, and means to limit raising and lowering of each of said panels to a series of predetermined positions.

8. In a device of the character described., a plurality of separate curtain panels, each adapted to be separately raised and lowered, each of said panels being disposed in .a different vertical plane from all but one of the others, and each having lateral edges overlapping corresponding adjacent `edges oi an adjoining curtain panel, means to limit raising and lowering of each of said panels to a series of predetermined positions, and means to control raising and lowering of said panels.

9. In a device of the character described, a plurality of separate curtain panels adapted to be separately raised and lowered, each of said panels being disposed in a different vertical plane from all but one of the others, and each having lateral edges overlapping corresponding adjacent edges of an adjoining curtain panel, means to limit raising and lowering of each of said panels to a series of predetermined positions, means to control raising and lowering of said panels, and means to actuate said last-mentioned means.

10. A composite theatre curtain comprising a plurality of curtain panels, means to raise and lower, separately, each curtain panel, and means to set said raising and lowering of each curtain panel to a predetermined position relative to the others.

l1. A composite curtain comprising a plurality of curtain panels adjoining each other laterally, means to control raising or lowering of a selected plurality of said curtain panels to provide a desired contour opening in said composite curtain, and means to actuate sai-d last-mentioned means.

12. In a device of the character described, a curtain panel having its lower edge arcuately formed, said panel having an extended lateral edge, the lower edge of which lateral edge is arcuately formed, 'said panel being adapted to be raised and lowered.

13. In a device of the character describe-d, means adapted to raise and lower a curtain panel provided with a counterweight 4for said curtair, said means comprising a disk carrying a plurality of spaced-apart arcuately formed conductor strips, and switch means adapted to establish an electrical circuit through a selected one of said conductor strips.

14.. In a device of the character described, means adapted to raise and lower a curtain panel, said means comprising a disk carrying a plurality of spaced-apart arcuately formed conductor strips, switch means adapted to establish electrical circuit through a selected one of said ccnductor strips, and means to move said switch means while in Contact with said conductor strip the length of said conductor strip.

15. In a device of the character described, a curtain panel, means to control raising and low-- ering of said curtain panel to any of a plurality of predetermined positions, said means comprising a disk of electric insulating material carrying on its face a series of electrical conductor strips, each member of said series being of seg'- mental circular contour and spaced laterally from an adjoining member of said series, the members of said series of conductor strips being electrically connected in parallel, an arm spaced above and adapted to be rotated over said conductor strips, said arm carrying a series of electric switches each adapted to make and break electrical contact with one of said conductor strips, and means to rotate said arm over said conductor strips.

16. In a device of the character described, a curtain panel, means to control raising and lowering of said curtain panel to any of a plurality of predetermined positions, said means comprising a disk of electric insulating material Carr'- ing on its face a series of electrical conductor strips, each member of said series being of segmental circular contour and spaced laterally from an adjoining member of said series, the members oi" said series of conductor strips being electrically connected in parallel, an arm 'spaced above and adapted to be rotated over said conductor strips, said arm carrying a series of elecm tric switches, each adapted to make and break electrical contact with one of said conductor strips, and means to rotate said arm over said conductor strips.

17. In a device of the character described, a curtain panel, means to raise and lower said curtain panel, and means to control such raising and lowering,r to any of a series of predetermined positions, said last-named means comprising a disk of insulating material carrying conductor strips and also comprising an arm adapted to be moved in an arc over said conductor strips, said arm carrying a series of switches, each of such switches being adapted to make or break electrical circuit through one of said conductor strips, said curtain raising means and said arm of said control means being actuated by the same motor.

18. In a device of the character described, a curtain panel, a counterweight for said curtain panel, a cable connected at one of its ends to a batten forming part of said curtain panel, said cable passing over a pulley supported above said curtain panel, said cable being attached at its opposite end to said counterweight, means to raise and lower said curtain panel comprising a cable attached to said counterweight, said cable passing over a pulley supported above said counterweight and around a grooved pulley keyed to a shaft, a frame carrying bearings for said shaft, to which shaft is also keyed a worm gear, a worm meshing with said worm gear and carried by an electric motor shaft, the shaft of said motor carrying also a sprocket wheel journalled in said last-mentioned frame to rotate with said motor shaft, a sprocket chain carried by said sprocket ,wheel and in engagement with a second sprocket wheel, said last-mentioned wheel being keyed to a shaft carried by said frame, to which shaft is also keyed a switch arm.

19. In a device of the character described, means for raising, lowering and holding in selected position a plurality of curtain panels comprising a rotatable arm carrying a plurality of switches, each of said switches comprising a conductor disk carrying a contact element to establish electrical circuit and also comprising a rocker pivoted by links to said conductor disk and carried by said switch arm, the switch being operable by a handle mounted on the rocker.

20. A composite theatre curtain, comprising a plurality of separate curtain panels.

21. A composite theatre curtain, comprising a plurality of separate curtain panels having adjacent edges overlapping.

22. In a composite theatre curtain, a plurality of separate curtain panels, and means for raising and lowering, stopping and holding in any position, intermediate, fully raised and lowered positions, each of said curtain panels.

23. In a device of the character described, a

plurality of curtain panels and means to separately raise, lower and hold said panels, respectively, in partially raised positions, said panels, except one, being disposed in pairs in different vertical planes, and each panel having a lateral edge adapted to overlap an adjacent edge of an adjoining curtain panel.

BERNARD H. LOHMULLER..

GENEVIEVE W. LOHMULLER. 

